Visible indicating device for adding machines of the printing type, such as for cash registers



Sept..23, 1958 M. ANDERSEN 2,853,233

VISIBLE INDICATING DEVICE FOR ADDING MACHINES V THE PRINTING TYPE, SUCHAS FOR CASH REGISTERS Filed March 2, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1.

. INVENTOR. LEIF MALCOLM ANDERSEN.

Sept. 23, 1958 L, M. ANDERSEN VISIBLE INDICATING DEVICE FOR ADDINGMACHINES OF THE PRINTING TYPE, SUCH AS FOR CASH REGISTERS 4 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed March 2, 1955 INVENTOR. LE/F MALEOLM ANDERSEN.

Sept. 23, 1958 L. M. ANDERSEN 2,353,233

VISIBLE INDICATING DEVICE FOR ADDING MACHINES OF THE PRINTING TYPE, SUCHAS FOR CASH REGISTERS Filed March 2, 1955 4 Sheets-$heet 5 .L. M.ANDERSEN 2,853,233 CATING .DEVICE FOR ADDING MACHINES OF THE PRINTINGTYPE. sucu AS FOR CASH REGISTERS Sept. 23, 1958 VISIBLE INDI 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 2, 1955 United States Leif Malcolm Andersen,Bergen, Norway, assignor to Jorgen Sigurd Lien, Bergen, NorwayApplication March 2, 1955, Serial No. 491,591

Claims priority, application Norway March 4, 1954 3 Claims. (Cl.235-23)- This invention relates to a visible indication device foradding machines of the printing type which prints the amount registeredin the machine on a paper tape roll and simultaneously accumulates saidamount" in an accumulator mechanism.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for visiblyindicating the registered amount in a special window. The indication isadditional to a printing on the tape roll.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device for visiblyindicating the registered amount in two directions so that the amountmay be simultaneously indicated to the adding machine operator and to asecond viewer who is presumably a customer.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of the kindaforesaid which is highly reliable and easy to install.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cash registerhaving a two-way visible indication control as well as a usualregistration on a tape roll of the registered amount.

The above and other objects of the invention will appear more clearlyfrom the following detailed description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, but it is tobe expressly understood that saiddrawings are employed merely to facilitate the description of theinvention as. a whole and not todefine the limits thereof, referencebeing had to the appended claims for this purpose.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary side elevation, somewhat simplified, of thevisible indication device for one digit, constructed in accordance withthe invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device according to Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating arelease-mechanism for retaining or latching members of the device.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the entire device when properlylocated on, a cash register.

Figure 5 is a timing diagram illustrating the sequence of movement ofvarious. of the elements.

In the following description and the' accompanying drawings, theindication mechanism for one digit is disclosed. It should be noted thatthe actual mechanism in practise preferably contains means forindicating a plurality of digits, mostly five digits, according to therequirements. However, the multiplication of the mechanism for theremaining digits should be obvious and readily provided by one skilledin the art.

The device illustrated in the drawings is specially designed to suit therequirements of the adding machine disclosed in Norwegian Patent No.72,027 when said machine is used in a cash register. However, it shouldbe noted that this only represents a preferred embodiment and that theinvention should not be limited to the sole use in said machine, butmaybe useful also in other adding machines of the kind aforesaid.

atent: O

free cylindrical periphery of this last-mentioned dial" "ice Referringfirst of all to Figure l, the adding machine contains a toothed sectorpiece 1 controlling the movement of a type strip 2 and also meshing withan accumulator gear 3 in the position as shown. By means of a mechanismnot shown in the drawings, the sector piece 1 is moved in clockwisedirection over a distance corresponding to N' times the tooth spacing,when the digit, N is registered in the adding machine by its keycontrol. It should be unnecessary to deal with the mechanism moving thesector piece to any detail, as such toothed moving members areconventional in almost every mechanically controlled adding machine.

in such adding machines, at least one toothed member corresponding tothe toothed sector piece 1 is moved a number of teeth corresponding tosaid digit registered, whereby a type bar or strip associated with andcontrolled by said toothed member is moved a corresponding distance. Thedistance between the types is regulated to correspond to the movement ofthe toothed member, so that the type for digit N is properly located inalignment with the recording ribbon and platen, in other words, in printposition after the movement. In the adding machine according to saidNorwegian Patent No. 72,027, the platen is then hammered against thetypes in order to print the type images on the paper tape roll.

Thereupon, the adding machine mechanism is returned to its startingposition to be ready for a new registrating cy le.

The accumulator gear 3 meshes with the toothed sector piece 1 during onedirection of the reciprocating movement of the toothed sector piece 1,in order to move the accumulator gear as many teeth as the registereddigit; the adding machine adds or counts.

The above mentioned features should suflice for a clear understanding ofthe principles upon which the present invention is based. The deviceaccording to the invention comprises an indication driving gear 11pivotally mounted on a shaft 12, a second shaft 13 has a transmissiongear 14 pivotally mounted thereon. Said transmission gear 14 in turnmeshes with a toothed driving coupling wheel 15 which is rotatablymounted on a shaft 17 and forms the. drive member of a one way coupling.The driven member of the one way coupling is represented by a drivencoupling wheel 18 rotatably mounted coaxially with the drive wheel 15 onthe shaft 17. The one way coupling is obtained by said drive wheel 15being provided with a radially extending peg 19 engaging in driveposition an axially extending pin 20 secured to the driven wheel 18.Thus, the coupling is releasable over a distance slightly less than onefull turn of the wheels 15 and 18.

A spiral spring 21 is wound on the shaft 17 between the wheels 15 and 18and connects the wheels 15 and 18 by being at its inner end secured tothe drive Wheel 15 (not shown) and at its outer end secured to thedriven wheel 18 at 22.

in order to enable easier explanation, the driving coupling wheel 15 ishereinafter designated the peg wheel 15, while the driven coupling wheel18 is designated the pin wheel 18.

The spiral spring 21 urges the peg wheel 15 to constant engagement withthe pin wheel 18. Each of the wheels 15 and 18, however, may bemovedaway from the engaging position by movement in a correspondingdirection against the force from the spring 21.

V The periphery of the pin wheel 18 is indented, the indentation meshingwith a corresponding indentation upon an indication dial wheel 23rotatably mounted on a shaft 24.

As appears readily from Figure 2, the indentationwheel is provided withdigit images indicated at 25', one

of said digits being visible through a Window 26 in a housng 27supporting the device (see Fig. 4).

In order also to be ableto indicate the digit indication in a furtherdirection, one end of a shaft 28 has keyed thereto a pinion 29 meshingwith the indentation of the dial Wheel. A second pinion 30 is keyed tothe opposite end of the shaft 28 and is constantly meshing with theindentation on the periphery of a second indication dial wheel 31, whichalso is freely mounted upon the shaft and which carries digit images 32upon its indentation free'cylinder face. One of said digit images isvisible through a window 33 in the housing 27 and is the same as thedigit image indicated by the wheel 23 through the window 26.

In order to be able to lock the indication dial wheels in indicationpositions, a locking ratchet rod 34 is by means of a yoke 35 mounted forpivotation about the shaft 24, one arm of said yoke being shown in thefigures. Thereby, the ratchet rod may be swung from an inactiveposition, which is drawn with dashes in Figure l, and to an activeposition as shown in full lines in Figures 1 and 2.

The yoke 35, as appears readily from Figure 2, is provided with anoutwardly directed lug 36, against which a corresponding lug 37 at oneend of a lever 38 is engaged. The lever 38 is pivotally mountedintermediate its ends on a pin 39 secured to the housing 27, and has alower arm 40. This arm is engaged in a manner which will be explained ingreater detail.

Further, a lug 41 on the yoke arm 35 carries one end of a spring 42, theother end of which is attached to the housing at 42a. The spring 42 actsto force the ratchet rod 34 to locking position and acts asa returnspring for the ratchet rod 34.

As particularly shown in Fig. 3, the above-mentioned lever arm 38 withits lug 37 and the lower branch 40, is, as stated above, pivotallymounted on a pin 39. The same pin also has pivotally mounted thereonanother arm lever 43 provided with a lug 44 at its upper end. The lug 37engages the upper branch or arm of the lever 43 which also is providedwith a lower branch 45.

A cam piece 48 is keyed to a suitable shaft in the adding machine. Thecam piece 48 has, in the starting position of the machine, its forwardedge located just before the branch '45 of the lever 43. With specialreference to Figure 3, this segment piece is first of all moved duringthe counting period of the adding machine in the direction of the arrow,i. e. in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby rocking the lever 43 inthe opposite direction. The arm 38 and consequently also the lug 36 ismoved in a clockwise direction, whereby the ratchet rod is moved toinactive position. Preferably, the movement is synchronized with thecounting period of the machine such as to move the ratchet rod toinactive position before starting the counting and the moving of thetype carrying strip to print position. r

Because the ratchet rod must be out of engagement during the forwardmovement, but in engagement during return to starting position, itisnecessary that the cam piece 48 release its engagement with the lever43 during the last part of this return period. Therefore, the length ofthe cam piece is regulated such as to release the lever in its endposition. The end and release positions are drawn with full lines inFigure 3.

However, the ratchet rod must, in this position, still remain ininactive position, and this end of the cam piece, therefore, carries apin 49 engaging the branch 40 of the lever 38.

Consequently, the lever 38 engages the lug 36 and maintains the ratchetrod in inactive position, but releases the ratchet rod as soon as thereturn movement starts. However, the lever 43 is then rocked in theopposite direction and also does not support the ratchet rod in inactiveposition.

In the adding machine structure as disclosed, the cam piece is keyed toa shaft 50, which in Norwegian Patent No. 72,027 is designated the mainshaft 12. This shaft 50 always has a full movement at registering andadding, i. e, independent of the registered amount.

The general mode of operation will next be explained in detail.

When counting, the cam piece 48 is moved as aforesaid, whereby theratchet rod is moved to inactive position.

It is now assumed that the digit five is to be accumulated,

printed and indicated, due to operation of the corresponding key fivefor the desired digit.

In the starting position, as mentioned above, and as is readily apparentin the drawings, the indication dial wheels 23 and 31 are locked by saidratchet rod being pin wheel 18, is regulated so as to correspond to orto be located before the zero position of the machine, i. e. theposition in which only zeros are printed. This position may also bedesignated the synchronizing position, because ditterent parts of theadding machine move to synchronizing engagement or release in saidposition. Thus, the adding machine as disclosed in Norwegian Patent No.72,027 is in this position moving its accumulator mechanism to mesh withthe tooth segments, when the accumulator gears, in order to print totalor subtotal, are to move the type carrying strips to print position forprinting the result.

The types for-zero upon the type carrying strips and the image for zeroupon the indicating dial wheels 23 and 31 are now located in printposition and indicating position, respectively.

The toothed sector 1, the type carrying strip 4, and the cam piece 48,are now each moved over an angle corresponding to the toothed sector 1being moved a number of teeth corresponding to the digit listed. Hereby,the type strip 4 as well as the indication dial wheels 23, 31 are movedto a position in which the corresponding type (the digit five) and thecorresponding digit image are moved to print position and indicatingpositions respectively.

The movement of the toothed sector 1 is stopped in a manner not shownupon the drawings, as soon as this position is reached. The stoppage iscontrolled by the keys on keyboard. This corresponds to said memberbeing moved five teeth spacings from the zero position when the digitfive is to be accumulated, printed and indicated.

However, the cam piece 48 is not stopped, but is further moved untilsaid cam piece is moved to a position corresponding to more than nineteeth from the starting position. This member always moves the samedistance, irrespective of the digit listed. Due to the cooperation ofthe two rocking levers 36 and 43 and their cam piece 48 and pin 49, theratchet rod 34 will be moved to and be maintained in inactive position.

It is seen in Figure 1 that the transmission between the different gearsand toothed wheels in the coupling and drive is regulated such as tomove the pin wheel 18 one tooth distance when the meshing gear 11 ismoved one tooth distance, the former having a greater linear distancebetween its teeth than the latter. In other words, the ratchet rod 36engages between two teeth at the periphery of the pin wheel 18 and trapsor locks this wheel at a distance corresponding to five teeth from thezero position. Thereby, the digit image five will also be moved to andappear in the windows 26 and 33.

During return to the starting position, the cam piece 48 is nowpositioned on the opposite side ofthe lower branch of the rocking lever43, whereby the rocking lever 43 is rocked by the cam piece 48 in theopposite direction such as to release the engagement between the lugs36, 37. During return to the zero position the rocking lever 38 willalso be located in inactive position. The cam piece 48 releases itsengagement with the lever 43 before reaching the end position asaforesaid, and said lever, therefore, rocks back into the startingposition.

When the machine during its return passes the position for the digitfive, the toothed sector 1 also starts to retract. The drive gear 11 andthe transmission gear 14 retract correspondingly, and so also the pegwheel 15. But because of the one way coupling between the peg and thepin, and also because the ratchet rod 34 locks the pin 18, this wheeland consequently the indicating dial Wheels 23, 31 remain in indicatingposition when the peg 19 is moved in clockwise direction.

During the return, the accumulator gear 3 also meshes with the toothedsegment 1.

The indicated digit remains visible, locked by the ratchet rod 34, untilsaid rod is moved to inactive position in a new printing, counting andindicating cycle, as the peg wheel 15 remains in zero position, therelease of said peg Wheel permits the spring 21 to urge the pin toengage the peg. It is obvious that device is set to let the images ofzero be visible in the windows 26, 33 in zero position.

While now referring specifically to Figure 4, it appears from thisfigure how the indicating mechanism is located on an adding machineembodied as a cash register. This machine is a so-called full keyboardadding machine by being provided with one key for each cipher to belisted. In the embodiment as disclosed, there are thus seven digit keyrows 51, and a character key row 52. The latter key is used for printingcertain marks on the control tape roll running over a roll 53.

Normally, the machine is covered by a main casing not shown upon thedrawings.

It appears from the embodiment as shown that the window 26 is locatedtowards the operator, that is the shop clerk, and indicates in the samedirection as the key board, while the window 33 is located towards thefront of the register, that is towards the customer.

Hereby, it is obtained that the window 33 indicates the listed amount toa customer at the outer side of the shop counter, while the amountcashed also is visible to the sales clerk, i. e. through the window 26.

When used in another embodiment of a printing adding machine, it isobvious that this location of the indication dials also will bepreferred, while perhaps modifying the device such as to suit theconstruction of the adding machine in question, for which the device isto be used.

Thus, it should be noted that the coupling of the device when used inconnection with the adding machine as disclosed in Norwegian Patent No.72,027, should be given a. certain clearance ahead of the Zero positionto allow for the suppression of zeros, as well as to allow for themovement of the carry over mechanism, the latter being arranged in aspecial manner in said machine.

It appears further from Figure 4 that when more than one digit as setforth above, is to be indicated, the different transmission and couplinggears for the further digits are mounted coaxially on the respectivelyspindles and shafts in the mechanism. It should be unnecessary todiscuss how such multiplication of the digit indication mechanism isobtained.

Figure 5, which is a timing diagram, illustrates in the first line thatthe shaft 50 of the adding machine proper moves in a counter-clockwisedirection from its starting position through an angle of 120 to aturning point and then returns in clockwise direction back to itsstarting position. In the actual adding machine the movement is in asequence of steps, each consisting of an angle of there being a total oftwelve steps. The first step is the synchronizing step, whereuponfollows a movement to ti zero position as a second step, nine countingsteps, and a zero suppressing step.

In the second line the dial wheels are locked during the first step andduring all return movement.

The third row shows that the springs are active during the second stepand during the return movement.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modificationsand variations, utilizing the principles set forth and realizing many orall of the objects and advantages of the apparatus described but whichdo not depart essentially from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. Digit indicating .apparatus comprising toothed control means, a setof digit indicating wheels, first and second gear trains, first andsecond gear wheels including teeth, a spindle, a spiral spring, saidfirst and second gear wheels being arranged in spaced relationship onsaid spindle to be freely rotatable thereon, said first gear traincoupling said first gear wheel to said toothed control means to rotatesaid gear wheel in accordance with the movement of said control means,said second gear train coupling said second gear wheel to said set ofdigit indicating wheels, a first abutment on said first gear wheel, asecond abutment on said second gear wheel, said first and secondabutments being adapted for engagement so as to allow said second gearwheel to be forced in one direction by interengagement between saidfirst and second abutments and to allow said second gear wheel to remainin its position by movement of said first gear wheel in the oppositedirection, said spiral spring being coiled around said spindle betweensaid first and second gear wheels and secured at opposite ends to arespective one thereof so as to urge said first abutment releasablyagainst said second abutment, ratchet means, means for moving saidratchet means to active and inactive positions, said ratchet meansengaging in said active position between two adjacent teeth on thecircumference of said second gear wheels, means for moving said ratchetmeans to said active position by the movement of said control means in apredetermined one of two opposite directions and to said inactiveposition by movement of said control means in the opposite direction, asecond spindle, said set of indicating wheels being freely mounted onsaid second spindle, two levers freely mounted in spaced axialrelationship on said spindle at their inner ends, the outer ends of saidlevers carrying said ratchet means, a first lug on the outer end of oneof said levers, a lever arm system, and a second lug in said lever armsystem and controlled by the direction of movement of said reciprocalcontrol means, said first lug engaging said second lug in the inactiveposition of said ratchet means.

2. A digit indicating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said leversystem comprises two double arm rocking levers, a stud rockablysupporting the latter said lever, a cam for engaging the ends of saidlevers, a reciprocalshaft drive means supporting said cam and arrangedfor imparting a reciprocal movement over a constant angle to the shaftduring an indicating cycle.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said cam engages one of thelatter said levers for movement towards engaging position, said camhaving an abutment at its forward end for engaging said other of thelatter said lever while simultaneously releasing said one lever which isthereby enabled to swing in opposite, releasing direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,755,499 Carroll Apr. 20, 1930 2,289,055 Landsiedel July 7, 19422,656,178 Hughes Oct. 20, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 130,243 Great BritainJuly 31, 1919

